Wakefield man to open E-cigarette shop in Melrose

Thursday

Mar 6, 2014 at 12:52 PM

By Jessica Sacco

jsacco@wickedlocal.com

An electronic-cigarette store that is set to open in Melrose next month promises to provide customers with all their vaping needs — and offer a healthier substitute to smoking.However, some residents are worried the new business could have a negative effect on the community.E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that vaporize liquid nicotine. They’re designed to simulate smoking, yet lack many of the ingredients found in regular cigarettes, including tobacco.Melrose and some other communities have banned the sale of the apparatuses to teenagers under 18. However, there is no statewide law in Massachusetts, and minors can still legally buy them in some area communities.Wakefield resident Mike Cook will open Cumulus Vapors, located at 31 West Wyoming Ave., on March 8."I wanted to open the store to help people struggling with smoking cigarettes," Cook told the Free Press. "With electronic cigarettes, there is no tar, no smoke, no ashes. It’s a healthier alternative to smoking."Cumulus Vapors will sell e-cigarette holders, high-quality liquid "e- juice" (which comes in variety of flavors and nicotine strength), starter kits, mechanical mods (a larger vaping device, around the size of a cigar) and vaping-related gear that can help regular e-cigarette users build and customize their device.Cook said e-juice is composed of nicotine, food flavoring, propylene glycol, and vegetable glycerin — which are less harmful than the materials found in a regular cigarette."People were saying it’s unhealthy, but what people don’t realize — there’s only four to five ingredients," he said of the liquid. "The people who don’t smoke consume [almost] all the ingredients on a daily basis. If you drink anything that’s flavored, there’s vegetable glycerin in it."Cook began looking for a location for his vaping store about a year ago. He located the West Wyoming Avenue building a few months back, which he will lease from property owner Bob Hassett (who could not be reached for comment)."I kind of didn’t think Melrose was going to allow it," Cook said. "They’re a dry town."Once he secured the spot, Cook obtained his tobacco license. Although he is not selling tobacco goods, a permit is required for all "nicotine delivery products."Cooks believes his business will be a positive addition to the city."I think people in Melrose would be interested in it," he said. "Nobody wants to smoke. Melrose is a dry town, I’m sure they would like to get rid of cigarettes."Supporters of e-cigarettes, like Cook, say they are free from the dangerous components of traditional cigarettes and have helped many people quit smoking.Opponents point out that the devices have not yet been regulated by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and argue the possible side effects — to users as well as those in the vicinity — are still unknown. FDA guidelines are expected soon.

COMMUNITY CONCERNThe Free Press received multiple inquiries from residents about the prospect of an e-cigarette store opening.They voiced concerns about its proximity to the Lincoln Elementary School and St. Mary’s School and the possibility that children would put drugs inside the e-cigarette holders."There’s research that shows young people can hide other drug ingredients, beyond marijuana, in their vaping apparatus," resident Katy Kennedy told the Free Press. "Melrose has a drug problem. Melrose has a large alcohol problem. The powers that be in the city have denied it for years."Cook said there are herbal vaporizers that would allow for drugs like marijuana to be crushed up and placed in the vaping container. However, he said that the design of his products only allows for liquid nicotine to be used.The city also prohibits the sale of any drug paraphernalia in Melrose businesses.Kennedy is afraid the e-cigarette store will normalize smoking and is disturbed that the city is doing nothing to prevent the shop from opening."They’re more interested in protecting property owners’ right versus the needs of the community," she said. "I doubt very much that they would allow this downtown or in the newly revitalized Franklin Square district."Mayor Rob Dolan addressed some of the community’s issues in a blog post on Tuesday. He stated the city does not control (beyond what’s set in the ordinances) what businesses come to Melrose.He continued that the store required no zoning relief from the city or permits from the Board of Aldermen"It’s a retail store, just like many other businesses across the city," Dolan wrote. "…Although some people would prefer we not have this store in our community, these are the rules that govern commerce and they must be followed."City Solicitor Rob Van Campen and Health Director Ruth Clay have each responded to some residents’ concerns, noting that e-cigarettes are a legal product.In an email reply to one resident, Van Campen said none of the city officials believe that Cumulus Vapors is the best use for the space, but noted that "there is simply no way to prevent this establishment from opening without the city's actions being viewed as arbitrary and capricious, and exposing the city to an unwinnable lawsuit."